I think we now know why Dimplex called it what they did.
Dimplex Opti-Myst fires
- Thread starter Neil B
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I have the misfortune to have purchased the above product from Dimplex. The unit is 18 months old. During that time I have had to replace the transducer (£80) and of the 4 lamps only the two outside lamps worked. This morning that has gone down to 1 remaining lamp. I understand replacement units are £70. This unit is clearly riddled with defects, is poorly designed and shoddily assembled with cheap parts and yet sells at a premium price.
Does anyone know if Dimplex has a properly functioning "customer care" department which will remedy this defective unit and no further cost to me and with as little inconvenience to me as possible?
Looking at the posts so far I doubt this very much and so I will be approaching the retailer "Housing Units of Hollinwood", if that proves unsatisfactory I will be considering a more formal approach to the retailer and the manufacturer and I recommend other dissatisfied customers do the same.
Does anyone know if Dimplex has a properly functioning "customer care" department which will remedy this defective unit and no further cost to me and with as little inconvenience to me as possible?
Looking at the posts so far I doubt this very much and so I will be approaching the retailer "Housing Units of Hollinwood", if that proves unsatisfactory I will be considering a more formal approach to the retailer and the manufacturer and I recommend other dissatisfied customers do the same.
Roger 947:- read with interest your feedback. I agree with you that this is a badly designed product from Dimplex and a shame because they were always regarded as the best in electric fires decades ago. The technology was simple in those days and fires would last for 20 + years with just a cheap red bulb being required every few years. I had my Danville replaced and they have just sent me a new "smoke generator" but I am worried that its going to be an on-going drain on funds keeping it going. You should be OK though for THREE years of free warranty repairs, I registered mine with Dimplex and that's what they offer. The Dimplex customer service department are quite helpful in my experience and confirmed my 3 year warranty. The red GU10 bulbs can be obtained much cheaper than from Dimplex. I agree with other comments about the "smoke/misting" even at the lowest setting, its too much and I wish I could turn the knob down a few more notches. I am going to ask Dimplex if a modification is available, maybe an adjustment on the electronic board? Also, I think they need a small suction fan at the top of the fire to draw the "smoke" back to prevent it spilling out of the canopy which doesn't look right. I think they need to get back to the drawing board and do some re-design work and which would improve the fire effect even more? It is good, but could be better IMO. We "owners" need to keep this feedback alive as I am sure that Dimplex engineers may take a look some time, but we need more people to make constructive comments on the optiflame system.
Thanks for your comments Old Timer. In conjunction with the post I also sent an email to Dimplex's customer support "[email protected]". I got a reply from GDC Customer service acknowledging the problem with my fire and giving me a free phone number 0844 879 3588. I called the number and Richard has logged the problem and promised that an engineer will call to fit a new electric board within the next few working days. Some of my faith has been restored but I think there is still an underlying issue of design. Also, people like ourselves are handy and can investigate, understand and frequently repair these faults. How do people manage who don't have such practical skills?
One further question, does anyone know of the cheapest supplier of replacement bulbs for this fire?
One further question, does anyone know of the cheapest supplier of replacement bulbs for this fire?
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Pleased to hear you got some response Roger947. Just a couple of points. First, not sure the 0844 numbers are Free? The 0845 ones are, but the 0844 ones with me are charged at National rate I think? Dimplex sell the correct lamps MR16 base (Not GU10 as I said before) in a pack of 5 for about £22.
You may find them cheaper, if you do a Google search, there are plenty of suppliers online, but you need to check the quality as some can be inferior in my experience and whilst cheap, they don't last long.
You are quite right about some people not wanting to carry out repairs for themselves and there are always the safety issues to consider and be aware of. Changing the bulbs can present difficulty especially if the fire is not switched off as required and with lots of water around inside the appliance. Having to face the costs of an engineer's visit and the parts is somewhat of a concern and it is a complex piece of modern technology which will inevitably go wrong in time.
You may find them cheaper, if you do a Google search, there are plenty of suppliers online, but you need to check the quality as some can be inferior in my experience and whilst cheap, they don't last long.
You are quite right about some people not wanting to carry out repairs for themselves and there are always the safety issues to consider and be aware of. Changing the bulbs can present difficulty especially if the fire is not switched off as required and with lots of water around inside the appliance. Having to face the costs of an engineer's visit and the parts is somewhat of a concern and it is a complex piece of modern technology which will inevitably go wrong in time.
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0845 numbers are by no means free - unless included free in your calling plan.
0844 numbers aren't either - and are rarely included free in your calling plan.
0844 numbers aren't either - and are rarely included free in your calling plan.
I hope you didn't call that free number from a mobile.
http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/files/2010/01/numbering.pdf
All noted about telephone call costs. Of course the 0845 ones are "free" with my BT call plan and also 0870 I think. I don't use a mobile for these anyway, as hardly any signal here in back of beyond ! Saves me a fortune.
Ive been repairing these things for about 3 years now, via Ebay....
Trouble is, these fires are a Brilliant Idea--Terribly Executed!
They are just CRAP MADE!
Issues such as poor finish quality/tarnishing fake brass are just the simple issues. The fires suffer from many more troubles such as the lamp-holders--cheapest they could find, the Mist-Maker (Early type) was a Japanese TDK Nebuliser designed only for short-duration operation, and the later-type (KERI) are just cheap Chinese Reptile-foggers, with similar reliability to 1960's Leyland car in the winter!
--Even the Plastic used for construction of the sumps is horrible, cheap, cracks and falls apart --Utter Rubbish really! Give-Away Toys at Mucky-D's are better quality plastic--Seriously!
An outrage considering the cost of these fires new.
There are two distinct versions of mist-maker/sump. The Earlier type, that is repairable, and the later type--Thats Not.
The Earlier type has a BLUE water-tank, and the sump is a grey boxy part that sits in the base of the fire, connected by a black square plug at the left side.
This has the Ultrasonic Electronics and mist-maker disc/s in the bottom.
--These I repair and upgrade these earlier type, for less than half the cost of replacement from Dimplex or UK Spares.
The Later type,has a ORANGE water-tank, and the mist-maker is a round 'puck' that sits in the sump tray and connected by a lead to the fire. This is a sealed item and is potted. Apart from replacing the ultrasonic disc, these are unrepairable, as being Potted (sealed in block of plastic) its impossible to dismantle without destruction, therefore, this type you have to replace the complete device.
Its interesting to note above, some guys have had success using ultrasonic discs from other machines/devices/sources to replace the ones in Opti-Myst.
I find this rather strange, as the ones in Optimyst operate at 2.2MHz while other make devices usually operate at 1.6 to 1.7MHz.
Using a 1.6MHz disc in Opti-myst doesn't work--Without Electronic Circuit Modifications, I know to my cost--As Ive tried many different type discs from many sources in the earlier type trying to source suitable ones....
Give us a shout if you need any advice with these troublesome things.....
Trouble is, these fires are a Brilliant Idea--Terribly Executed!
They are just CRAP MADE!
Issues such as poor finish quality/tarnishing fake brass are just the simple issues. The fires suffer from many more troubles such as the lamp-holders--cheapest they could find, the Mist-Maker (Early type) was a Japanese TDK Nebuliser designed only for short-duration operation, and the later-type (KERI) are just cheap Chinese Reptile-foggers, with similar reliability to 1960's Leyland car in the winter!
--Even the Plastic used for construction of the sumps is horrible, cheap, cracks and falls apart --Utter Rubbish really! Give-Away Toys at Mucky-D's are better quality plastic--Seriously!
An outrage considering the cost of these fires new.
There are two distinct versions of mist-maker/sump. The Earlier type, that is repairable, and the later type--Thats Not.
The Earlier type has a BLUE water-tank, and the sump is a grey boxy part that sits in the base of the fire, connected by a black square plug at the left side.
This has the Ultrasonic Electronics and mist-maker disc/s in the bottom.
--These I repair and upgrade these earlier type, for less than half the cost of replacement from Dimplex or UK Spares.
The Later type,has a ORANGE water-tank, and the mist-maker is a round 'puck' that sits in the sump tray and connected by a lead to the fire. This is a sealed item and is potted. Apart from replacing the ultrasonic disc, these are unrepairable, as being Potted (sealed in block of plastic) its impossible to dismantle without destruction, therefore, this type you have to replace the complete device.
Its interesting to note above, some guys have had success using ultrasonic discs from other machines/devices/sources to replace the ones in Opti-Myst.
I find this rather strange, as the ones in Optimyst operate at 2.2MHz while other make devices usually operate at 1.6 to 1.7MHz.
Using a 1.6MHz disc in Opti-myst doesn't work--Without Electronic Circuit Modifications, I know to my cost--As Ive tried many different type discs from many sources in the earlier type trying to source suitable ones....
Give us a shout if you need any advice with these troublesome things.....
Thank you AlastairE a very interesting and informative contribution to this forum. You have confirmed my initial concerns 100% and being retired from the electricity industry and when we used to sell Dimplex products some 50 years ago they were really good for all space heating and of course their famous oil filled rads which lasted forever. I have been extremely disappointed that Dimplex have resorted to selling over priced fires which have obviously not been designed properly and from poor quality materials. I have a feeling that this one will have a short life and that's a shame because the effect is quite good although I think they could improve the mist effect by giving us more adjustment on the potentiometer and with a small fan to pull the "smoke" back in a loop maybe? I used to "service" Dimple flame effect fires 40 years ago and all that was required in the tool box was a 2B (soft) graphite pencil to lubricate the two little turbine fans. We didn't charge for the visit in those days and the customer fixed the problem themselves every 6 months or so! Dimplex had better watch out because some other company is going to produce something similar which is better quality and reliable for half the price.
Its basically across the board with electrical/electronic items. This is a little off-topic, but interesting anyway---
TV Sets Particularly are built to fail! (My main work)
These are built Only To Last 3 Years! A friend of mine works for a very well known set-top-box/PVR maker.
Recently, that Co had meetings with all their corporate customers who put pressure on them to cheapen their equipment and to also make it only last 3 years.....
Currently, their equipment is built to last for 7 years, And to be repairable.
Many newer TV sets--These ultra-thin, thin frame, LED Backlit Heaps Of Crap sets, the Panel itself fails or the 'Tabs' (The connections between the panel and the rest of the set) fail and are unrepairable. Some (most!) don't even make it that long, before either the PSU or the Panel fails, This applies to ALL MAKES, some are a little better than others but not by much.
Ive recently repaired a set that had less than 1200 hours on it, and 13 month old. The PSU had failed due to cheap and poor components.
Planned Obsolescence its called.
Believe it or not, This was started in the 1920's with Light-bulbs. A Cartel of the bulb makers, such as Osram, Philips, etc. based in Switzerland called, Phoebus dictated that bulbs should only last 1,000 hours. They tested samples of all bulbs and fined heavily Co's making bulbs if theirs lasted longer......
--IF you're bored one evening and have an hour to spare, Watch 'The Lightbulb Conspiracy' on youtube, It explains a lot of what we find today.......
TV Sets Particularly are built to fail! (My main work)
These are built Only To Last 3 Years! A friend of mine works for a very well known set-top-box/PVR maker.
Recently, that Co had meetings with all their corporate customers who put pressure on them to cheapen their equipment and to also make it only last 3 years.....
Currently, their equipment is built to last for 7 years, And to be repairable.
Many newer TV sets--These ultra-thin, thin frame, LED Backlit Heaps Of Crap sets, the Panel itself fails or the 'Tabs' (The connections between the panel and the rest of the set) fail and are unrepairable. Some (most!) don't even make it that long, before either the PSU or the Panel fails, This applies to ALL MAKES, some are a little better than others but not by much.
Ive recently repaired a set that had less than 1200 hours on it, and 13 month old. The PSU had failed due to cheap and poor components.
Planned Obsolescence its called.
Believe it or not, This was started in the 1920's with Light-bulbs. A Cartel of the bulb makers, such as Osram, Philips, etc. based in Switzerland called, Phoebus dictated that bulbs should only last 1,000 hours. They tested samples of all bulbs and fined heavily Co's making bulbs if theirs lasted longer......
--IF you're bored one evening and have an hour to spare, Watch 'The Lightbulb Conspiracy' on youtube, It explains a lot of what we find today.......
I don't know how true it was, but it was once said that the same was true of car bodies - in the days when they were 'guaranteed to rust within 5 years'. However, it seems that, in that case, a combination of one or two brave manufacturers and the consequent change in market forces fairly quickly forced manufacturers to change their ways. I'm now driving a 20-year-old car which is still only showing minimal signs of minor body rust.
Kind Regards, John
Bentley ?
Nah--I'll bet (If its anything like mine) It'll be a Mercedes-Benz.
BTW--Mine is 30 years old, minimal body-rust and lives outdoors....
BTW--Mine is 30 years old, minimal body-rust and lives outdoors....
Bentley ?
All wrong - it's a mere N-reg Vauxhall Omega, which has always lived outdoors. FWIW, my preceding car was a BMW which was 'well rusting' at 10-12 years old when I got rid of it - which surprised me.
Kind Regards, John
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